The
hospitality industry we enjoy today began in 1925 when Howard
D. Johnson offered counter service in Wollaston, Mass. The
Lake Placid, NY location was the last most authentic Howard
Johnson's Restaurant--it ceased operations at the end of March
2015.

During
the 1960s when the Clearwater Howard Johnson's was opened,
the Howard Johnson Company sought ways to maximize its
primacy of quality hospitality by utilizing the advantages
gained by the economies of scale. The Clearwater HoJo's
was the first property where the Company enjoyed ownership
and management of both the Motor Lodge and Restaurant.

Alas
the benefits of integration were never properly understood
or implemented by Howard Johnson management.

Left:
Unique in many ways, the Clearwater complex featured
an unusual experimental Gate Lodge along with its Restaurant
which was dubbed "the Clearwater Plan."

Below:
After losing its HJ status, the eye-catching Orange
Roof facade of the Gate Lodge was demolished leaving
a small flat-roofed lobby for the Sunshine Inn.

Photograph
2001 : Kummerlowe

Ultimate Unrealized

Architectural
FORUM, March 1955 p. 162-167: Kummerlowe

Ultimate
Designer

Almost
by chance the 20th century modernist architect Rufus Nims
became involved creating designs for the Howard Johnson Company.
His most famous building became known in Company lore as the
series '77,' and to HoJo's fans is what this site calls the
Nims-Type. That familiar Restaurant building itself served
to redefine and refocus Howard Johnson's image in the 1950s
as ultimately modern.

Working
diligently making architectural plans for the Company from
sometime in 1948 until about 1958, Nims devised what he termed
the Ultimate Design for a Howard Johnson's Restaurant
in 1955. The innovative plan was perhaps too radical a departure
from the series '77' and was never built. In a letter to author
Philip Langdon (Orange Roofs, Golden Arches) in 1984
Nims wrote with apparent frustration that "we were not
allowed to make any improvements to speak of as we went along
-- so quit doing the Co.'s work altogether in 1958."

Ultimate
Design,
proposed by Nims but not yet accepted by Johnson, makes
more radical changes in traditional appearance: gable
is turned end-wise to the street, cupola is removed from
the roof and raised like a shield on a spear.

Ultimate
Plan proposed by Nims combines all kitchen improvements
he developed for various types of Howard Howard Johnson
restaurants...Core of kitchen is straight traffic aisle,
replacing zigzag isle in the original plan. Straight open
core not only reduces steps but gives manager easier supervision
of entire kitchen operation.

Architectural
FORUM March 1955

Anniversary of Terror

UPI
wire photograph January 8, 1973: Kummerlowe

Forty
years has passed in the blink of an eye...

During
the first week of 1973 Americans witnessed an event of chaotic
terror which inauspiciously culminated at the New
Orleans-Downtown Howard Johnson's Motor Lodge. The frenzied
violence was the result of the actions of Mark James Robert
Essex. He was a disturbed 23 year-old Black man who had been
dishonorably discharged from the United States Navy and had
fallen under the influence of the Black Panther movement which
among other atrocities espoused violent revolution against
white people.

In
the course of his rampage, Essex murdered nine people and
wounded a dozen others. The reign of terror ended when Mark
Essex lost his hiding spot and was killed in a hail of police
bullets on the roof of the Downtown Howard Johnson's.

Bob:
"The place was still very nice; had an upper floor balcony
room along interstate. That's my gold Honda Civic parked on
the right."

Smithfield,
NC --photo
May 1991: BobVenditti

Bob:"I always liked how this place was situated off
the interstate, and the wide park-like lawn really seemed
appealing.

I had a single room in the one-story section which was very
comfortable and in good condition, although it seemed a
little dated. In the area near the sliders, the floor was
dark brown linoleum on which sat a recliner chair. If only
they hadn't later boxed in the terrific patios and balconies.
Otherwise this place would still be a gem, even with the
added stucco embellishments."

Hollywood,
FL --photo
June 1992: Bob Venditti

Bob:
"I needed a place to shower and change for one night--I
only had my camera with me to document the motel stay, as
I have always done, no other reason..."

Lexington,
VA --photo
August 1991: Bob Venditti

Bob:"Very nice place to stay while taking the long way
to Ohio! I had great pancakes at the dairy bar."

Remember
that not too long ago we could still get authentic
fried clams--and better yet, real Howard
Johnson's ice cream! Ah, the 1990s, those were
the days?...and we didn't even know it!? My August
1999 journey was my last great HJ road trip, for I
visited EIGHT operating Howard Johnson's
Restaurants in the span of a week (alas they are all
gone now).

Wilmington-Concord,
DE--photo
August 9, 1999: Kummerlowe

Pittsburgh
(Blvd. of the Allies) PA--photo
August 7, 1999: Kummerlowe

Harrisonburg
, VA--photo
8/13/98 (visited again 8/99): Kummerlowe

Wilmington-Kirkwood,
DE--photo
August 9, 1999: Kummerlowe

Claymont.
DE--photo
1998 (visited again in 8/1999): Kummerlowe

Afton
, VA--photo
August 13, 1998: Kummerlowe

Millington
, MD--photo
August 9, 1999: Kummerlowe

Front
Royal , VA--photo
8/1998 (visited again in 8/99): Kummerlowe

Lexington,
VA--photo
August 13, 1999: Kummerlowe Archive

St
Louis-Kirkwood, MO--photos
August 2000: Kummerlowe

West
Boylston, Mass--photos
June 2010: Bob Venditti

A
Must See for HoJo's Fans:
Located somewhat off the beaten path, the former West Boylston
Howard Johnson's Motor Lodge maintains the best preserved
A-frame Gate Lodge--it is the last complete example.

At
the onset of my endeavor/adventure to document Howard Johnson's
in 1998, I never could have imagined that I was witness to
the end of an era. It is difficult to believe that an institution
so ingrained in our culture could vanish almost without a
trace. For it would seem that with each passing day another
HoJo's is closed and demolished. Not that long ago Howard
Johnson's was the largest hospitality chain in the world.
But now this once ubiquitous roadside landmark fades from
America's rear-view mirror, and as we speed off into the uncharted
future fewer and fewer orange roofed Restaurants and Motor
Lodges remain to serve the hungry and sleepy motoring public.

This
site commemorates the Roadside Empire created by Howard D.
Johnson, and chronicles with photographs and commentary the
story of a once vast organization and its legacy to the American
roadscape, and to the hospitality industry. Please browse
and enjoy the photographs, and I hope that they rekindle many
memories.

"Howard
Johnson's -- An American way of life -- convenience, comfort
and hospitality for the entire family, at home and away from
home."